Liberal Arts Courses

This course explores a realm of artistic endeavor usually apart from the gallery system and the art market, where the artist applies his/her talents to questions directly related to community, social responsibility, and political activism. While looking critically at recent manifestations in relational and participatory practices—as well as learning about their historical context and interdependence with other fields—students will work within a greater social context, applying their skills to pressing issues (such as ecology, urban decay, poverty, discrimination, violence, and global abuses of the military-industrial complex, to name a few). The pedagogical approach will be to present projects realized by other artists who have worked in these areas, and to be able to contextualize these practices as the result/reflection of our current economic, political, and cultural situation(s), both nationally and internationally.

Students will research issues that are of greater concern to them individually, and present them to the class. This will be followed by in-depth discussion around problem solving, efficacy of action, and aesthetic materialization. Projects will then be developed and implemented throughout the semester.